Let’s be honest, we’re all told the same top interview tips to succeed in an interview:
- Research the company
- Ask the right questions
- Dress professionally
- Use the right language
- Have references ready
- Always use workplace experience
2020 has been a challenging year and the way business is run, the hiring process, team structure, and the skills required to succeed have changed. Keeping that in mind, not only do businesses need to change their hiring process but, as candidates, you need to be adaptable and open to change.
Here are our Top Interview tips if recruiters were honest with you (2020 edition)
- Research the hiring manager you are interviewing with not just the organisation. A simple google search will lead you to any professional articles as well as their LinkedIn profile. Look at previous roles and businesses they have worked for which you might be able to build something in common over.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (values and actions). Look at the organisations Corporate Social Responsibility information from diversity, environmental and social impacts and do their values align with yours? If so, you have a great reason besides just the role to want to join the organisation.
- Learn how to interview online. With Covid-19 the world has changed and with interviews currently being online, I believe this will be a growing trend in the future. Look at what the right angle is for you and the right lighting, wear the right outfit (and not just the top like a newsreader – what if the kids bolt in unexpectedly and you’re professional up top and casual down low!). Also ensure pets aren’t in the same room, keep the background simple, don’t use artificial background. Be sure to speak more clearly and wait a few seconds to hear if people respond.
- Dress Appropriately. Notice I’m not saying dress professionally? Dress according to your industry and what the role entails. Ask who organised the interview what the dress code is in the office. If its a law firm, high chance you need to be suited however if it’s a uniformed role feel free to turn up in your existing uniform and show the hiring manager how you respect your uniform and actually present in your current role. Many businesses, especially retail and tech are more smart casual so a polo shirt for men and black jeans and a covered top is fine for the ladies.
- Request a confirmed follow-up. Ask when you will find out the outcome of your interview. Much like how they are interviewing numerous people, you will most likely be interviewing elsewhere and you need to respect their timeframes and the business needs to respect yours.
- Don’t be afraid to be honest. Everyone focuses on the ‘right’ things to say but don’t be afraid to discuss a situation you were unhappy with and would like to avoid again and this can include management styles you’ve worked with, communication styles or tasks. It’s a two-way street, the more honest you are the more the interviewer will be. If they don’t like it, then they don’t like the open communication which should be one of your biggest red lights as to why the business might not be right for you.
2020 has thrown us a few curveballs and to be successful in an interview and a new role, you need to be adaptable and open. Remember, finding a new job is not just about you being the right candidate and presenting yourself well on the day of the interviewing but it’s about you finding the right organisation and role for you. Hopefully, these top interview tips have given you better insight into more than just the standard approach. Contact us if you feel you need more help.
